Eileen Miller
“Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist.”
About Creative Arts and Somatic Therapies
Creative arts therapy combines traditional counselling techniques with a range of creative approaches. At Crayons and Stuff it is integrated with somatic therapy, or body psychotherapy, which means we will work holistically with the mind and body to understand and process your experiences and support access to more comfortable embodied states.
I may invite you to represent or explore your story creatively at key points in the session (e.g. through a painting, movement, an object, or poem). I may also invite you to pay attention to your body, such as your sensations or impulses towards movement. This may feel daunting at first but can be very powerful as a process and you will not have to do anything you do not want to do. No skill or experience in art making is necessary. A standard art therapy appointment is 60 minutes but longer sessions can be negotiated on request. Sessions are available to adults, children, and young people.
Creative arts and somatic therapies can support you to explore and make meaning of your life.
Using a mix of imagery, colour, texture, sound, words, embodiment, movement, and other forms, it can help you to notice and express thoughts and feelings that are difficult to communicate. Discussion about your art-making process and/or embodied sensations can help you gain insight and make sense of your experiences.
The term expressive arts therapy is sometimes used to describe my inclusion of all of the arts in what we call art therapy (including any new creative methods we discover on the day) and the value of expressing what we hold inside our bodies. I can offer opportunities to work across a range of forms, including the visual arts (e.g. painting, collage, pencils, pastels, textas), poetry, narrative, clay, sandplay, installations, photography, digital drawing, editing and animation, objects, textiles, movement, music, dance, and drama. My work is located in the senses and our bodies, which led me to further training in Somatic Experiencing.
Somatic therapies are sometimes called Body Psychotherapies. It includes a range of therapeutic practices that can increase awareness of your embodiment (e.g through attention to physical sensations, emotions, and movement through your body) and support access to more comfortable embodied states.
Crayons and Stuff therapies may be funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT), or Family Violence Packages. There is a sliding scale, subject to income, for people who are unable to access government support.
You do not need to be an experienced art maker and you do not need to participate in any activities if you do not feel comfortable. We will be guided by you.
Working with creative, somatic, and other experiential therapies can build self-esteem, self-worth, and confidence. It can also support you in problem-solving, developing insights and self-awareness, managing challenging experiences and emotions, and enhancing relationships.
Read more on our Arts Therapy Blog.
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Crayons and Stuff was thrilled to launch the Cowes Super Arts Program in January. It is a short, small group program (3 sessions only) to harness the power of creativity for children's wellness. $200 / $180 conc.
You will be invited to attend the last hour of the program - we want you to love it too!
